896 DIRECTIONS AND PERSUASIONS DIRECTIONS TO SINNERS, That are purposed to turn, and under the work of Conversion, that it miscarry not. THE first and greatest matter in the seeking after the salvation of our souls, is to be sure that we lay the foundation well, and that the work of conver- sion be thoroughly wrought. To this end I have al -. ready used many persuasions with the unconverted to return, thinking all other directions vain, till we have persuaded men to consent and willingness to practise them. And in the end of that discourse, I added a few directions for the use of such as are willing to be converted. But because I know that this is a matter of exceeding consequence, I dare not thus leave it, before I have added some further directions, to prevent the miscarrying of this work where it is begun. And lest I should lose my labour, through the unprepared- ness of the reader, I shall give you first some prepar- ing considerations, which may awaken you to the prac- tice of the directions which I shall give you. Consider first, That half - conversions are the undo- ing of many thousand souls. If you are but like Agrippa,(r) almost persuaded to be Christians, you will be but almost saved. Many a thousand that are now past help, have had -the word come near them and cast them into a fear, and made some stir and trouble in their souls, awakening their consciences, and forcing them to some good purposes and promises; yea, and bringing them to the performance of a half- reforma- tion : but this is not it that will serve your turn. Many have been so much changed, as not to be far from the kingdom of God, and yet came short of it.(s) There (r) Acts ixvi. 28. (s) Mark xii. 34,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=